Islam, should people rise for him because he is a man of honor and standing among his people, and because this is customary among people and heads of state, or should they not rise for him?

The answer: This requires further consideration. There is a distinction between this issue and the issue of the People of the Covenant, for the People of the Covenant are under our authority, and we hold authority over them; therefore, we cannot honor them by rising for them.

Nor should they be greeted first with salām ...

His statement, “Nor should they be greeted first with salām,” means: It is not permissible to initiate the greeting of salām to them. Thus, when we meet them, we should not say, “Peace be upon you.” But if they greet us, then it is obligatory to reply, because Allah the Exalted says:

“When you are greeted with a greeting, return it with one better than it, or return it in like manner.” [al-Nisāʾ 4:86]

And because the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “When the People of the Book greet you with salām, say: ‘And upon you’” (1). He thus instructed us to respond to them, but not to initiate the greeting.

Is it permissible to initiate conversation by saying, “How are you this morning?” “How are you this evening?” and similar expressions?

The answer: According to the established position of the school, it is not permissible, because initiating the greeting to them has been prohibited lest we honor them, as indicated by the Prophet’s saying, peace and blessings be upon him: “When you meet them on the road, force them to its narrowest part” (2). Thus, if we say, “How are you this morning?” “How are you this evening?” “How are you?” or “How is your condition?” this is a form of honoring them.

Shaykh al-Islam said: It is permissible to say to him, “How are you?” “How are you this morning?” and “How are you?” because the Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, only prohibited initiating the greeting to them